He moved closer to her and shook his head. “No. Given that one of our own was injured, though, we will monitor the investigation closely. Did the Feds come to talk to you yet?”

“No, but I’m sure they will.”

“I assume you’ll keep your cover intact?”

“Of course.” She couldn’t believe he would even ask that.

Brett’s shoulders slumped. “This is really bad timing, considering all you’ve gone through today, but there’s something else I have to talk to you about, and unfortunately it can’t wait.”

Her heartbeat thumped. She didn’t need more bad news. “What?”

Brett squinted his light blue eyes. “There’s no easy way to say this, so I’ll just come out and say it. Effective immediately, you’re put on administrative leave.”

“What?” she said loudly. “Why?” She never would have expected those words to come out of Brett’s mouth. “You can’t sideline me because of this. It wasn’t my fault.”

“The Inspector General’s office is conducting a confidential investigation. I’m not privy to the details of the investigation, but I was ordered to put you on leave.”

She felt like she’d just been pushed off a cliff. “I don’t understand.”

“I don’t either. All I can tell you is that it definitely didn’t come from me, but the direction was clear.”

“Wait a minute. You’re saying I’m the subject of an IG investigation?”

Brett shoved his hands in his pockets. “Yes.”

“And it has nothing to do with the bombing.”

“That’s right.”

None of this made sense, but she was now certain of one thing: All of these events couldn’t be coincidences. But because of that, she couldn’t trust a word Brett was saying either. And she couldn’t talk to him about Cass yet. “I don’t know how to respond.”

“You don’t have to say anything. And like I said, I hate that it had to come about during this episode. But, Layla, my hands are tied.”

“The IG’s office gave you the order?”

“Yes. It didn’t come up through operational command.”

She had to put something out there for Brett to consider. “Don’t you find it a little odd, the timing of all this?”

“I was just given the order at the end of the day yesterday. I was going to wait until Monday morning when you came into the office, but then this happened, and it was better just to tell you. Your building access has been revoked pending the investigation, but you will continue to be paid. I guess that’s the only silver lining.” He paused. “Layla, if you’ve gotten into some type of trouble, it would be better to talk about it now.”

It stung that Brett was truly concerned she could have done something wrong. “There’s nothing to talk about, Brett. I’m clean.”